Sen. Barack Obama joins in a roundtable discussion on national security Wednesday at Purdue University.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana (CNN) - Sen. Barack Obama on Wednesday said he wants to rid the world of nuclear weapons and pledged to fight emerging threats posed by biological and cyber-terrorism.

"It's time to send a clear message to the world: America seeks a world with no nuclear weapons," the White House hopeful said.

"As long as nuclear weapons exist, we'll retain a strong deterrent. But we'll make the goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons a central element in our nuclear policy."

The remarks, delivered at Purdue University in Indiana before a roundtable discussion with foreign policy experts, come as the senator from Illinois is preparing for a trip abroad. Obama also is seeking to gain traction on national security issues.

soundoff(110 Responses)

Obama is a true man of Peace. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall inherit the earth.

July 16, 2008 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |

Susan

Wishful thinking.

July 16, 2008 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |

Walter, Long Beach

I will vote for Obama in November, come hell or high water. But I wish he would stop with his pie-in-the-sky rhetoric.

His winning argument is the economy and McCain's absolute cluelessness on that score. He should concentrate on that and hit McCain hard with it every day until the election.

July 16, 2008 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |

Steven, Chicago

This is exactly what we ned. How can you be opposed to riding the world of the most destructive weapons that we have ever known? I love how the people who say that Obama has no speeches with substance are saying that this is nothing but talk and that he is just doing this for the moment, when in fact I saw him give this pledge back in October when he spoke at DePaul University. I know that all you McCain people think that the only way to beet Obama is by saying he has no substance (even when he does), but get off your high horse and realize that we can only benefit from a world free of nuclear weapons.

July 16, 2008 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

jimmy velman

THE DAY WE RID AMERICA OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS IS THE DAY WE BECOME VULNERABLE TO ATTACK.
THERE NOW ARE TOO MANY NUCLEAR ARSENALS AROUND THE GLOBE THAT CAN POSE THE GREATEST NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT TO AMERICA.. OUR NUCLEAR DETERRENT POWER
SHOILD NEVER BE COMPROMISED.
WE , HILLARY CLINTON SUPPORTERS DISAGREE WITH OBAMA'S
STATEMENTS REGARDING GETTING RID OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
IN OUR COUNTRY. OBAMA IN HIS WILDEST DREAM AND RHETORIC CANNOT ABOISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN ANY COUNTRY, LET ALONE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WHICH IF OBAMA IS ELECTED PRESIDENT , HE WILL BE UNDER OATH TO
PRESERVE AND PROTECT OUR CONSTITUTION AND AMERICA AS A WHOLE.

July 16, 2008 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

Southern view

How does Obama know when all the nuclear weapons are eliminated? You can hide them in suitcases, in some cases, or like North Korea, announce the elimination of your weapons and processing plants which then turn up in another country.

July 16, 2008 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

Justin, Ohio

Coming straight from the man that created the Big Bang and has walked on water, the Messiah Obama! With just his words there will no longer be nukes! Less action, more promises, idiot followers.

July 16, 2008 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

Jack

Don't cigarettes and illegal drugs kill more people each year than nuclear weapons? Sen. Obama has supported both during parts of his life, I guess that's why he ignores the danger they present.

July 16, 2008 04:29 pm at 4:29 pm |

Democrats Unite & Vote Big

1 – Who can argue that this isn't a good goal?

2 – PUMA's are Republicans posing as Democratic bloggers – Why are they ashamed to represent themselves as who they really are?

July 16, 2008 04:29 pm at 4:29 pm |

Don

This should be interesting. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

July 16, 2008 04:30 pm at 4:30 pm |

Adam

What an idiot, but we already knew that!!!

Yes, Russia do you mind getting rid of all your Nukes? Oh you will, ok thanks. Obama, you and your supporters are idiots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 16, 2008 04:33 pm at 4:33 pm |

Shane

WHAT IS HE GOING TO PUT THEM IN YUCCA MOUNTAIN? HOPE NOT BECAUSE THAT MOUNTAIN IS A VERY YOUNG VOLCANO AND NEVADA IS NUMBER 3 FOR HAVING THE MOST FAULTS. TO ME WHAT HE IS SAYING WILL NEVER HAPPEN

July 16, 2008 04:33 pm at 4:33 pm |

Belle1

ONLY problem with ridding the world of nuclear weapons is getting those that have them to get rid of them.

At this point, increasing manufacturing in America, shoring up the economy, generating jobs, improving our schools....is MUCH more important.

July 16, 2008 04:35 pm at 4:35 pm |

Jerry in Boston

"As long as nuclear weapons exist, we'll retain a strong deterrent. But we'll make the goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons a central element in our nuclear policy."

This is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. You can't unring a bell Senator Obama. Even if you eliminate every nuclear weapon, the technology and science behind it will always exist, so somebody will pursue it.

What are you going to do? Travel back in time and shoot Robert Oppenheimer?

July 16, 2008 04:36 pm at 4:36 pm |

jimmy velman

TO QUOTE ONE OF OUR GREAT PRESIDENTS:

"SPEAK SOFTLY, BUT CARRY A BIG STICK"

ONLY HILLARY CLINTON DID THAT IN THE PRIMARIES WHEN ASKED WHAT SHE WOULD DO IF IRAN ATTACKED ISRAEL (AND THE U. S.) SHE SAID " THEN WE WOULD OBLITERATE IRAN".
AND SHE SPOKE QUIETLY ABOUT IT AND WITHOUT HESITATION.
SHE WOULD MAKE A GREAT VICE PRESIDENT WITH OBAMA.

July 16, 2008 04:37 pm at 4:37 pm |

Anonymous

Brandon Hillary PUMA

Have you been watching the news lately. McCain and Bush are now singing the same tune about meeting with Iran. Obama has always stated we need to talk to our foes to come to some agreement. Now, Bush and McCain both change their stance and believe we need to have some sort of talks with them as well. So who's really the FLip Flopper?...

July 16, 2008 04:39 pm at 4:39 pm |

John

That is very funny, one of those admirals (coast guard) is gay while the others were fired from their positions. Google the name and you will see what I am talking about. BTW they are all registered republicans as well. No wonder they all want MCCain.

July 16, 2008 04:39 pm at 4:39 pm |

what?

but Mr. Obama, if we rid the world of nuclear weapons....how then will we "Bomb Bomb Bomb, Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran?" (a little ditty by Mr. john McCain)

How dare he! We should always reserve the right to kill every man, woman, and child on the planet several times over.... just in case we decide existing isn't all it's cracked up to be.

July 16, 2008 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |

James Hussein, SC

The greatest gift we can give our children is a gift of opportunity and hope. The advent and use of the bomb marked the first step towards losing all opportunity and hope for a non-destructive future. Getting rid of these bombs should be the first step in reversing that mark. The chances of that occuring begins and continues we us, even though other attempts have failed. Giving up on trying is a %100 guarantee that the ilimination of these bombs will never happen. We should keep trying until evenually we win.

July 16, 2008 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |

Worst...Resume...Ever....

Rid the US of its nuclear deterrent at the same time nations like Iran are moving full speed ahead on their own nuclar program? Is he serious?

Good Lord. This guy is naive.

July 16, 2008 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |

Biff Biffington

Anybody else but me notice how the GOP (grand OLD pedophiles)
(ok.... that was a cheap shot... but funny).. back to my point...

Anyone besides me notice how the GOP are playing follow the Leader?

Everything Barack says, they wind up either doing or agreeing with... anyone else see what has actually become a TREND? (of course they would never actually ACKNOWLEDGE IT). Kind of like how they "acknowledge" the recession that everyone knows we are in, but them.

wow. who woulda thunk it?

July 16, 2008 04:48 pm at 4:48 pm |

FEDUP

Once again, makes no sense. Nukes are a deterrent to hostilities, but lets get rid of ours? What kind of policy are we talking about. We were asleep at the wheel when Pearl Harbor happened, I sure don't want that to happen again..Roosevelt said, "We need to talk softly but carry a big stick.."